OTL Texas The Spring Issue 2023

ANCHORAGE

So much to see and explore in the histocial city. Endless summer days, Aurora Borealis, all in Alaska. S.Laird

LING WU RESTAURANT

When we found out Chef Ling opened up a new restaurant, our first reaction was “Hallelujah.” Find out why. R. Arebalo

FOUR SEASONS GOLF COURSE

Majestic desert views from any lounge to dining area. Hiking trails fit seamlessly within and outside of the resort. C. Mickelson

PALMILLA BEACH

Vacation on the gulf shores. New Waters Edge development brings luxury coastal living to new heights. C. Mickelson

Trends come and go but the power of pilates endures.

Stop getting stressed over golf. Add a little zen to your game.

Why you should consider freezing your credit.

Ford Raptor: The solution for putting a muscle car in a truck.

Golf is not just a sport; it’s a statement of style.

Here are some tips for those are can’t take it from the range to the course.

Major Champion Justin Leonard talks about what’s next.

Central Florida, known for its many amusement parks - Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and more.

Honma’s Beres NX Driver brings next-gen tech to a venerable brand name.

Music and wine pairings create the perfect harmony for your palate.

Casdagli Cigars - History and luxury blended to absolute perfection.

From the Publisher Origin Story of OTL and its meaning

Recently, I have received many questions as to the meaning of OTL. Since I have always known its meaning and origin, I take for granted that everyone else does.

Back in a small office in late 2001, my best friend and then business partner and I were talking about starting a magazine together. We began to hammer out the details of what our magazine would look like. At that time, we already had a local weekly newspaper in Austin and were doing quite well.

Our newspaper had full color on the front page (a big deal back then) and if you paid for full color on the front page, the back page would also be in color without additional costs. So, we thought about what we could do with the color back page. For the first few years, we ran these full-page recipes for our readers to try. They gained popularity as readers said they would cut them out and use them. Eventually, we thought about how to better utilize this space.

We enjoyed playing golf and played once or twice per week or whenever there was a chance to get out. It was a way to escape out of the small “executive suites” office, clear our heads, and think of new ideas. One evening after a round of golf, we thought, what if we could play a golf course, take a few pictures, and write about it? We could run a few pictures and tell people about how cool of a course it was. All in color on the back page of the newspaper. That was our first lightbulb moment.

So, off we went, ready to shine this light. Some of the best places came to mind. We called the folks at Barton Creek Country Club, Horseshoe Bay Resort, and The Quarry Golf Club in San Antonio. We told them we published a local newspaper and wanted to feature them. They said sure, to our delight, come on out and be our guests.

We played a few courses and published the newspaper with its stunning color back page course review. I wouldn’t be so bold as to say it was groundbreaking, but it was certainly a hit with readers and the courses.

This is where some of the magic was made. We had a client that owned an art gallery, Joyce Hunt, who suggested framing the back page and presenting it to the course/ resort so they could proudly display it in their pro shop or throughout the club.

Great idea. That’s what we did, and it was an even bigger deal. I am very proud to say that to this day, some clubs still have our first framed features displayed on their walls.

Okay, so back to the small office. We realized, what if instead of having a one-page feature on a course on the back of a weekly newspaper, we dedicate an entire magazine to golf?

We asked ourselves, what would we want to see in a golf magazine? Well, it would have to include the best golf courses. It would also have to include more exciting things than just golf. It would have great restaurants, travel destinations, wine advice, financial advice, interesting interviews…It would detail the things we loved about life and get the most out of it. Eureka!

We have never wavered from that original idea. What you see in this magazine today is what we talked about 21 years ago in that small room having a drink.

We said, let’s do it. Yeah, but we need a name first. I wanted to name it Fairways and Greens, but to my surprise, that name was already in use by a clothing company.

Great name by the way. Having both dabbled in writing screenplays, we said, let’s just use a working title for now until we think of the name we want.

The working title was On The Links. And it stuck.

I will explain later why we opted for OTL in 2017. And no, we were not trying to be like KFC.

Hope springs eternal. Welcome to the Spring 2023 issue of OTL. Enjoy.

PUBLISHER

PUBLISHER

Sedric Walker

Sedric Walker

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Tony Dean

Tony Dean

ART DIRECTOR

ART DIRECTOR

Leticia Galarza

Leticia Galarza

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Natalie Kalbas

GOLF FEATURES EDITOR

GOLF FEATURES EDITOR

Carl Mickelson

Carl Mickelson

FEATURES EDITOR

FEATURES EDITOR

Richard Arebalo

Richard Arebalo

TEACHING PROFESSIONAL

TEACHING PROFESSIONAL Buck Mayers

Buck Mayers

CONTENT SPECIALIST

Joel McColl

PHOTOGRAPHERS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Andon Guillory, Loui Shaya

Kevin Chin, Andon Guillory

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Katie Soltas, Mike Bailey, Scott Laird, Leslie Stevenson, Alejandra Bernal

Michelle Keller, Leslie Stevenson, Art Stricklin, Tara Lee Maloney

INTERNET & DIGITAL

Karen Kreeps

INTERNET & DIGITAL

Alexandria Moya, Karen Kreeps

FOR ADVERTISING OR EDITORIAL INQUIRIES

FOR ADVERTISING OR EDITORIAL INQUIRIES

512.777.9879

512.657.7533

OTL magazine is published bi-monthly by Pristine Media, Inc. Executive, editorial,and advertising offices are located in Round Rock, Texas. Advertising rates furnished upon request. Advertisers warrant and represent that the descriptions and depictions of the products or services advertised are true in all respects. All advertising is subject to approval before acceptance. OTL reserves the right to refuse any ad for anyreason whatsoever. ©2023 by OTL. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in whole or part without the express written consent of OTL is strictly prohibited. Editorial queries and manuscripts should be directed to the editor via email, editor@otlgolf.com. All letters and their contents sent to OTL are sole property of OTL and may be used, printed, and published in any matter whatsoever without limit, obligation and liability to the author thereof. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and artists and not necessarily those of OTL or its advertisers. Manuscripts should be accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes. OTL assumes no responsibility or liability for the return of unsolicited artwork, manuscripts or pictures. Printed in the USA.

OTL magazine is published bi-monthly by Pristine Media, Inc. Executive, editorial,and advertising offices are located at 210 Grand Isle Drive. Round Rock, TX 78665. Advertising rates furnished upon request. Advertisers warrant and represent that the descriptions and depictions of the products or services advertised are true in all respects. All advertising is subject to approval before acceptance. OTL reserves the right to refuse any ad for anyreason whatsoever. ©2021 by OTL. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in whole or part without the express written consent of OTL is strictly prohibited. Editorial queries and manuscripts should be directed to the editor via email, editor@otlgolf.com. All letters and their contents sent to OTL are sole property of OTL and may be used, printed, and published in any matter whatsoever without limit, obligation and liability to the author thereof. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and artists and not necessarily those of OTL or its advertisers. Manuscripts should be accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes. OTL assumes no responsibility or liability for the return of unsolicited artwork, manuscripts or pictures. Printed in the USA.

Anchor

AGE

Anchorage is often a city one sees on their way to somewhere else. The first European to survey the area was Captain James Cook, during his search for the Northwest Passage. He surveyed for less than two weeks, realized he’d hit a dead end, and left, but not before bestowing his name on the body of water—Cook Inlet—that Anchorage overlooks today.

STORY BY SCOTT LAIRD

lthough indigenous Dena’ina and Ahtna people hunted, fished, and picked berries what is today Anchorage for thousands of years, there wasn’t a permanent settlement until the early 20th Century. By midcentury, scores of notable personalities overnighted in Anchorage when the airport was the crossroads of the world during the Cold War – everybody from then-Prince Charles to the Beatles overnighted in Alaska’s largest city enroute between Europe and Asia.

Today, many of the visitors on their way to somewhere else are bound for Denali National Park, or a cruise departure, but there’s plenty to see and do right in Anchorage—whether visitors arrive during the endless days of summer where the midnight sun isn’t hyperbole, or in mid-winter, when the Aurora Borealis often serves as a northern-style night light.

For an independent hotel experience, visitors can check out the Hotel Captain Cook, a three-

tower hotel overlooking Cook Inlet. Interiors take inspiration from the wooden sailing ships of Captain Cook’s explorations of Alaska and Hawai’i, and murals in the lobby depict scenes from the voyages. Wraparound views and fine dining at The Crow’s Nest, or Italian-inspired pub fare downstairs at Fletcher’s are top draws for both visitors and locals.

Downtown Anchorage is eminently walkable, and just steps away from the Captain Cook is the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, a paved trail spanning the length of the coast along the Inlet, from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park—popular in winter and summer with skiers, walkers, joggers, bikers, and others wishing to take in views of the Chugach and Alaska Ranges, including views of the peaks of Denali and Foraker—visible from much of Anchorage on clear days despite being over a hundred miles distant.

Also downtown is the Anchorage Museum, over 170,000 square feet of exhibits and collections covering the gamut of Alaskan natural and human history and art. A major draw includes the

Cook and Totems

PHOTO BY: JACK BONNEY

permanent Art of the North collection, with paintings and drawings with Alaska and the Arctic as subjects. The museum is also home to one of the world’s largest collections of Native Alaskan artifacts and historic handiwork.

Just outside of Downtown Anchorage, on several wooded acres, is the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Unknown to many visitors is the fact that Alaska’s indigenous communities are immensely diverse—comprising five major culture groups, with their own distinct, mutually unintelligible language families and varying cultural traditions and practices. See demonstrations of Alaska Native dance and Native Games or storytelling, see fascinating exhibits in the Hall of Cultures, or explore six authentic recreations of Native Alaskan dwellings representing the traditional lifeways of the Iñupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, Athabascan, Eyak, Haida, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Unangax, Alutiiq/Sugpiaq, Yup’ik, and Cup’ik peoples.

Anchorage also affords some interesting golf. The Anchorage Golf Course is open May through October, and with the midnight sun accepts tee times as late as 10PM! The 36-hole course at Moose Run, on the Army base at Fort Richardson, is also open to the general public.

Anchorage is also a good base for day trips around Southcentral Alaska. Just 40 miles south of the city lies Alyeska Resort, in Girdwood. The drive along the Seward Highway, closely drawn between the rock faces of the Chugach Mountains and the bore tides of Turnagain Arm affords plenty of opportunities for seeing wildlife, from the dall sheep that balance on the rock cliffs to the beluga whales that are often spotted near the aptlynamed Beluga Point.

At Alyeska Resort, the main attraction is a ski resort

where the base of the chairlift is virtually at sea level (no elevation issues for skiers here!), but non-skiers can take in views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers from a year-round tram service. At the top of the mountain lies the fine dining restaurant Seven Glaciers, so named for the glaciers visible from its tables: Crow, Raven, Eagle, Clear, Goat, Milk, and Alyeska Glaciers can all be seen in clear weather.

At the base of the tramway, adjacent the Hotel Alyeska, is the newly-opened Alyeska Nordic Spa, where spa-goers spend their time rotating between saunas or steam baths and outdoor hot or cold plunge pools nestled in the pine trees. Massages are also available for a completely relaxing visit—either in the brilliant sun of the Alaskan summer or the calming snowfall of a winter afternoon.

From Girdwood, it’s just a few miles more to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Most of the animals on the center’s 200 acres are given permanent homes after being orphaned or injured, and the expansive grounds replicate natural habitats for a wide range

PHOTO BY: SHELLY WOZNIAK

PHOTO BY: KEN GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Alaska’s Native Women

Ship Creek Fishing

of Alaskan animals like wolves, reindeer, musk ox, black and brown bears, moose, elk, fox, and bald eagles.

Another popular day trip from Anchorage involves the Alaska Railroad, which is celebrating its centennial in 2023. In the summer months, early morning departures for Seward arrive just in time for day boat excursions to Kenai Fjords National Park. Out on the water visitors can see orcas, puffins, sea otters, Stellar sea lions, several species of whale.

Visitors can also elect to take the Alaska Railroad north to Denali, but those who are pressed for time can take a flightseeing excursion from Anchorage, generally departing from Lake Hood, the world’s busiest seaplane base. Excursions run three hours and will trace explore the glaciers and rock faces of Denali, the largest peak on the North America continent, often landing for a photo opportunity before returning to Anchorage.

Less-adventurous seaplane fans can indulge in an Alaskan summer pastime—watching the seaplanes depart from Lake Hood by sitting out on the patio at The Lakefront Anchorage, perhaps with a local beer and a plate of fresh Alaskan seafood.

Lake Hood sits at the beginning of Spenard, one of Anchorage’s most fascinating neighborhoods, with a mix of nightlife, shopping and dining just outside the downtown area. The Writer’s Block Bookstore & Café has Russian and Eastern European comfort food on the menu, with cold-weather favorites like Russian pelmeni dumplings or pierogi and bone-warming

soups like borsch or Hungarian mushroom on rotation. Title Wave Books is a used bookstore with a blend of new and used titles, but it’s most notable for its large selection of hard-to-find Alaskana—locally published books and memoirs offering perspectives on northern life not easy to find outside the 49th State. Bear Tooth Theatrepub pioneered the puband-movie concept, offering a menu of good locally brewed beer alongside pizzas and Latin favorites.

Downtown, diners might indulge in Inlet views and Alaska seafood (in season, try cedar plank Copper River King Salmon) at Simon & Seaforts, or for a more low-key meal they might drop into the landmark Club Paris, for the famous bleu-cheese stuffed steak.

There are plenty of hotels to choose from downtown, but Hilton Anchorage has recently refreshed guest rooms, and is convenient to the Alaska Railroad depot for their early-morning departures. Another recently renovated property is the Marriott Anchorage Downtown, where many guest rooms also have views of Cook Inlet and the surrounding mountains.

When it’s time to leave, drop into 10th and M Seafoods for one last splurge—all their flash-frozen Alaskan seafood—king salmon, king crab, halibut, cod, or their own-recipe Alaska reindeer sausage can be packed “to go”, insulated in styrofoam and cardboard boxes with icy gel packs designed to keep products cold for 20 hours of travel. It’ll make for a tasty souvenir of the immense bounty of Alaska, and hopefully fond memories of its fascinatingly diverse largest city.

Three Bears.

PHOTO BY: NICOLE GEILS

The Power of Pilates

STORY BY LESLIE STEVENSON

Fitness trends come and go, making it more difficult to determine which is best for your personal goals. Personal capabilities, time, and accessibility to equipment may be a few of the deciding factors that influence your workout plan, but that still leaves many options.

While Pilates is most popularly known for creating long, lean muscle, its benefits are more comprehensive than simply enhancing physical appearance. Pilates has countless benefits for mind and body; a few that can be highlighted include injury prevention, decreased stress, improved flexibility, mobility and balance.

Contrary to popular belief, Pilates has not always been a female dominating practice. During the First World War, a young German man named Joseph Pilates was working as an orderly with patients that had trouble walking, which led to his idea to attach bed springs to the hospital beds as support to their limbs to help them recover their strength and mobility. After he and his wife immigrated to the United States in 1926, they continued their techniques in a body conditioning gym in New York. Word spread quickly of their success with rehabilitating athletes after injuries, making them popular among the dance community, with approximately 60% of their clientele being men. This method of strengthening one’s body with his created apparatus was originally named “Contrology”, however; after his death it was known as what we call it today, the Pilates Method.

Whether you are a professional athlete,

starting out with your fitness journey or a veteran in the gym, keeping the body injury free is pertinent to reaching your health and fitness goals. Part of Pilates is learning how to control your muscles and achieve overall balance within your body. When all of your muscles are in tune and properly developed, you are less prone to injury while performing other daily activities or sports.

Practicing Pilates also decreases stress due to the controlled breathing techniques, low to no impact movements and overall exercise that releases natural endorphins in your body. Many people feel more energized rather than exhausted after Pilates thanks to these components.

Lastly, Pilates is beneficial as it aids in developing more flexibility and mobility. Not only should our muscles have flexibility for movement, they should be paired with mobility as it allows our body to have optimal range of motion at the joint.

No matter your goals, Pilates will be a beneficial addition to your wellness regimen and entirely deserving of your time and effort.

ADD A LITTLE ZEN TO YOUR GOLF GAME

STORY BY NICOLE PINTER

Fear of failure is born out of high expectations and increased pressure, which is why most golfers have difficulty on the golf course. This causes mental, physical, and technical challenges to the player. Adding meditation and breathing technics with yoga exercises to your daily routine can positively affect your game. These following situations most golfers fear on the course.

Sometimes you have no choice but to try to extricate your ball from a horrendous lie in deep grass. Many golfers freeze when facing this lie, too worried they can’t get it out. If you want to focus and calm your mind, down use some breathing exercises in the moment.

If you think you don’t want to hit the ball into the water many times you will end up in the water. Why? Your mind has a huge effect in this situation. If you are familiar with visualization meditation, the primary focus is a positive image. If you want to avoid the water, you need to think about where your ball should land, on the fairway.

In this situation, your confidence and a good mindset can help. A Zen mindset can help to get out of the bunker if you have the correct technique as well.

This is where a relaxed and calm body and mind can help you a lot. The bad conditions of the green or maintenance cannot affect your game.

Breathing technics, you learn from yoga can help your game

The breathing technics you learn from yoga are the key to getting out of anxiety on the golf course. Being present and not worrying about the result is very important. If you meditate regularly, you have the option for a quick mindset reset during the game. Focusing on your breath and getting to the present moment with a more calm and relaxed body is the best you can do for a good score.

If you are playing in a competition, it can cause more anxiety and obstacles to a good performance. Whether you are an advanced yogi or just bought your first yoga mat, you can practice pranayama, which is the regulation of the breath through certain techniques and exercises. Pranayama is a Sanskrit word that means “extension of the prana (breath or life force).” It also means, “breath control.”

Yoga for golfers teaches you to control your body and mind and helps you deal with difficult situations on the course. The right attitude and mindset can help you get a better score and enjoy the game more.

Why You Should Consider Freezing Your Credit

STORY BY AUSTIN ASSET

If the latest massive data breach has you wondering if there’s something you can do to protect yourself — there is. The first option is to take the reactive approach and simply monitor your credit.

The second is to be more proactive and freeze your credit, making it very difficult for anyone other than you to take out credit in your name. This means even if a criminal obtains enough information to open an account, they’ll have a number of obstacles preventing them from using it.

Under the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act—effective since September 2018—you can freeze your credit free of charge. This began in 2017 when consumer advocates called on Congress to provide free access as, previously, each of the three credit bureaus could charge for the service and to unfreeze or “thaw” credit (useful for anything requiring a credit check).

WHAT DOES FREEZING MY CREDIT DO?

When you freeze your credit, the credit reporting bureaus can’t give any information to anyone who makes an inquiry about you. Typically, businesses inquire about your credit when you, or someone posing as you, attempts to open a new credit card, buy a car, or rent an apartment. The credit check helps the business determine if they want to lend or rent to you and can help set your rates and lending terms for loans and credit cards.

If your credit is frozen, the business can’t get any information about you which typically stops the process and means a fraudster can’t open an account while using your identity.

WHY DOESN’T EVERYONE FREEZE THEIR CREDIT?

Though freezing your credit won’t guarantee safety, it’s a pretty strong defense against identity theft. You still need to unfreeze your credit if you legitimately want to apply for a loan or line of credit. While this

is not a heavy burden, it does add extra steps anytime you do something that requires a credit check.

While reactive, credit monitoring is a viable alternative to a full freeze. When you pay for a credit-monitoring service, you’ll get alerts about any activity involving your credit report. This can quickly bring a potential problem to your attention—but you won’t know if someone has used your identity until after it happens.

You can always request a free copy of your credit report annually from each of the major credit bureaus and check it for any activity you don’t recognize. If you do find anything suspicious, report it immediately and take steps to lock down your credit through a fraud alert or credit freeze.

HOW DO I FREEZE MY CREDIT?

If you want to freeze your credit, you need to do it at each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax (1800-349-9960), TransUnion (1-888-909-8872) and Experian (1-888-397-3742). If you request a freeze, be sure to store the passwords needed to thaw your credit in a safe place.

Whether or not you choose to freeze your credit, fraudsters can still take advantage by obtaining information like your credit card number(s) or passwords to online accounts. Make sure you’re taking the proper steps to secure your information and keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

The 2023 Ford Raptor R is Ford’s an swer to those wanting the performance of a muscle car in the form of a pickup truck. This vehicle is built to handle tough ter rain, tear up a drag strip and provide an outstanding daily driving experience.

The Raptor R’s bold and aggressive de sign is sure to turn heads. The vehicle’s im posing stance and unique design features, such as its wide fenders and graphics package, make it a standout on the road.

The interior of the Raptor R is just as

Ling Wu

wo things went through my mind when I found out that Chef Ling Wu was opening another restaurant in Austin. The first was “hallelujah” because the quality of the original made it so popular that it was nearly impossible just to drop in, but the second was “I must be dreaming … it’s down the street from work!”

I first met chef Ling in 2019 for an OTL article I was writing about her first location. I learned about her background, from her origins in Fuzhou City to her focus on healthy ingredients and, to me, how she had transformed the Chinese food scene in Austin.

Seeing that her passion for beautifully made food now had a new outlet was a great pleasure to hear.

Ling Wu on Southwest Parkway near William Cannon is the fourth in what has turned out to be a very wellthought-out collection of restaurants.

I spoke with co-owner and husband Jimmy Ng, who explained that each new location has allowed them to keep the good and improve from the lessons of the previ-

ous sites. The original Lin Asian Bar was opened “on a budget.” Its phenomenal success allowed the next restaurant, Qi, to be more spacious and convenient and gave more freedom with décor and furnishings. Ling Kitchen on Research Boulevard is a very small ten-table Omakase concept, but it plays to the showmanship and fine craft that chef Ling brought to the previous two restaurants.

From the original press photos, the new location looked like a restaurant trifecta; beautifully designed, blessedly spacious, and with ample parking.

Because of its location in the Barton Creek watershed, commercial development along the Southwest Parkway has happened very slowly in the last thirty years. Much of the valuable real estate along its length is limited by strict environmental regulations.

However, dotted between a few high-end subdivisions and affluent private schools is the headquarters of electronics giant AMD and several prestigious local firms discretely tucked away from the road.

With few commercial sites between vast tracts of hill

Asian Restaurant

STORY BY RICHARD AREBALO OTL FEATURES EDITOR

country limestone, sage, and live oak, Southwest Parkway has been spared much of the unchecked sprawl in other parts of the city. Though only minutes from downtown, much of the road has a decidedly rural feel.

Ling Wu takes advantage of a lovely spot at 7415 Southwest Pkwy. The site is a stone’s throw from the prominent AMD campus and has nice views of rolling hills and the sleek new AC by Marriott Hotel nearby.

The restaurant’s interior space is spectacular. Beyond the shiny entry bar and signature view through the busy kitchen, the long dining room is a fantasy of Chinese lanterns. Above the central axis are nearly a hundred hand-stamped metal lanterns in three impressive tiers. The tiers top classic wooden Chinese display cases with hundreds of fine wine and Champagne options. Various styles of golden birdcage lanterns hang above the dining room proper, and beyond the windows is a large patio topped with dozens more in brilliant colors.

Several small private dining rooms face the front of the building, and the main dining area is flooded with

light from the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the restaurant’s entire back wall.

Something that could easily be overlooked is the unusual tables in the restaurant. The table tops in the main dining room are made of thick black walnut, and in one of the larger private dining rooms is a twenty-foot, seamless hardwood slab. It took several employees and a couple of jacks to maneuver the monster into place.

Throughout the restaurant, you’ll find strong references to classic Chinese interiors; screens with carved stone floral vases and wall paneling in wood or clay with debossed Chinese calligraphy. The subtle element connecting the classic parts is something like a steampunk aesthetic. Metal, wood, and infrastructure blend to give the space a unique and comfortable feel.

Within minutes of being seated, the star of the show quickly catches your attention as scores of small plates and steaming boxes of dumplings go by your table.

The staff is young and very professional, and though there seemed to be many of them, there was always a

kind of urgency in getting the multitude of dishes out to the tables.

The lunch menu reads like all the favorites from the original Lin restaurant but somehow elevated. Scallop and Caviar Shu Mai and Ling’s Soup Dumplings catch the eye quickly, but classics like the outstanding shrimp Har Gow and Sichuan spicy cucumber are a can’t-miss.

Dim sum is a labor-intensive endeavor, and many of Austin’s original Dim Sum restaurants did not survive the Covid shutdown. Seeing such a variety available is fantastic, and not just on a Saturday or Sunday.

In addition to the regular fifteen dim sum items, there are a few other small-plate favorites like the scallion pancake and lobster cheese puff.

Our opening salvo for lunch was the Szechuan cucumbers mentioned above. These are small barrel-shaped pieces of (Persian) cucumber marinated in rice vinegar, mirin, garlic, and both sesame and chili oil. The pieces are served chilled with cilantro microgreens. They are refreshing and, I’m sure addictive in some way. I first had these at Din Tai Fung in Taipei and have been hooked ever since.

Ling’s Soup Dumplings are a rare treat. The menu has both a pork and seafood option. The authentic little dumplings are unusually filled with meat and liquid. To achieve this bit of magic, soup stock is mixed with gelatin which allows it to be cut into cubes when cold. Seasoned pork (or seafood) is then put into the individual dumpling wrappers along with the gelatin cubes and twisted into a pouch. When the dumplings are steamed, the cubes turn back into soup. Caution is advised when eating these little treats. - Use the small bowl

provided, poke a tiny hole to allow a bit of steam to escape, and once cooled, eat in a couple of bites from the bowl. (Popping one into your mouth quickly upon their arrival will result in projectile soup and a nasty burn.)

To me, two of the best-tasting items came next. The Scallop Shu Mai are the most incredible little seafood pouches, with a hint of truffle and then topped with bright, delicious trout roe. Traditionally shu mai includes pork (and or seafood,) but these are a very pure taste of fresh scallops with a few aromatics. The tiniest bit of soy sauce was all that was needed.

Our third dumpling was a Lin’s favorite, ‘Har Gow.’ These dumplings are widely popular and are made of shrimp with bamboo, white scallion, and white pepper in a simple rice wrapper. Steaming makes the wrapper go very soft and translucent.

The lunch menu has ten entrees ranging from standards like General Tso’s Chicken to Kung Pao shrimp with cashew nuts, but there is a large selection of (albeit pricier) dinner items available throughout the day.

I am a big fan of Peking duck, and I would say I’m not alone, as evidenced by the fact that Austin now has a dedicated Peking Duck restaurant.

Ling Wu’s version is traditional with simple sides of hoisin and spring onion, but a pleasant little surprise is a tiny pot of rich duck foie gras that can be spread like butter. The duck was perfectly tender (lightly seasoned with Chinese five spice), and the skin was some of the thinnest and crispiest I’ve ever had.

A clever touch is the traditional Chinese name stamp used on the fluffy steamed bao pancakes served with the duck. The little red mark has Lin and Qi in its tiny cartouche. Making the little sandwiches made our lunch feel a little more special. (Be sure to get more than three bao)

Our lunch was paired with hot Jasmin tea, but the restaurant has a stellar wine list, thanks to Jimmy. In addition to eleven Champagnes, the menu features dozens of fine wines from around the world, and there is an entire page with Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Rhône wines alone.

I can only imagine how good the New Zealand Lamb entrée would be with a good Pommard or Chambertin.

For dessert, Chef Ling brought over the little Teddy Bears made of passion fruit sorbet from Lin, but that would have to be a treat for another day.

Ling Wu Asian Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday – Friday and for Dim Sum Brunch and Dinner on Saturday and Sunday.

Tour 18 Incorporated’s newest addition, Highland Pines Golf Club. As the first public access golf club in the Houston area to open in more than a decade, We are proud to offer Zen Zoysia fairways, rough and tee boxes. Highland Pines is also the first and only club in the world to offer Lazer Zoysia greens.

Highland Pines Golf Club is nestled on the banks of the San Jacinto River and winds through the river basin, then travels up through tall pines and hard woods to stunning views of lakes, meadows and valleys. The course stretches more than 7,200 yards from the back tees and has five sets of tees in all, each offering their own unique challenge. Conveniently located off the Grand Parkway, in Porter, Texas, the golf club is an easy commute from its sister courses, Augusta Pines Golf Club and Gleannloch Pines Golf Club.

The Highlands Community in which this golf course is located, developed by award winning Caldwell Communities, offers 13 premier builders with 17 model homes open daily. The Highland Pines, developed by Tour 18 Inc., offers a social membership for residents of The Highlands and a special resident initiation fee.

To learn more about The Highlands by Caldwell Communities visit TheHighlands.com!

Golf Mami looking the part

STORY BY ALEJANDRA BARNHARD - GOLFMAMI

Golf is not just a sport; it’s a statement of style. As a golfer, I take pride in looking my best, and standing out on the course. When you look good, you feel confident, and that can make all the difference in your game.

To achieve my desired look I typically opt for a short-sleeved polo, which I pair with a comfortable golf skirt or a fitted dress. I love to experiment with colors, such as pink, red, and pastels, which complement my skin tone and add a touch of fun to my outfits.

Footwear is another essential aspect of my golf attire and I prefer to wear the classic golf shoes that provide the necessary support for my feet while still being stylish. To complete my golf outfit, I accessorize with a visor or hat to protect my face from the sun and add a touch of glamour.

Dressing up for golf is all about feeling comfortable, confident, and fashionable. By incorporating bright colors, comfortable yet stylish clothing, and accessories, I achieve a look that is sporty, fashionable, and perfect for the golf course.

You can follow my golf journey on Instagram @golfmami_ and visit my website www.mamiunlimited.com

Remains an Any-Season Favorite

If you subscribe to the philosophy that every change of scenery in your life as a traveler - even the shortdrive staycation variety - leaves an unmistakable impression on your mind and soul, then you can probably relate to my first visit to the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North. Perhaps you’ve had the pleasure of staying at other Four Seasons properties and appreciate the brand’s tasteful presentation of grandeur and epic scale. Here, you’ll immediately notice the Scottsdale property is intended to be more intimate and more enclosed in its desert and mountain surroundings. Whether you’re here to heal, replenish, revel or just disappear for a bit, it helps that there’s no disconnect from nature anywhere you walk on this property. Majestic desert views abound from any lounge or dining area and hiking trails fit seamlessly within and just outside the resort footprint.

he air of privacy and the property’s stylish yet understated native Sonoran design bring a peacefulness that’s rare at many modern hotels. Every private adobe casita in Four Seasons Scottsdale’s village-concept enclave comes complete with an indoor beehive gas fireplace, a balcony or patio, soaking tub and separate glassenclosed shower. A select number of upgraded suites have private plunge pools and outdoor showers. The aesthetic is refined yet true to the Sonoran Desert setting and the sense of privacy and pure escapism is what lingers with you long after you leave.

Luck was on my side and securing a view of the sprawling, secluded pool complex and its adjacent Saguaro Blossom restaurant and bar with

incomparable sunsets over the not-too-distant Pinnacle Peak rock formation. The balcony got ample use on this visit because the stargazing views over Pinnacle Peak are just as breathtaking as the colors at dawn and dusk.

A hiking trail conveniently connects the Resort to the base of Pinnacle Peak. The resort offers the Zen Hike, which begins in a quiet corner of the property, where a yoga instructor guides you through a sensory exercise designed to open you up to the sounds, sights and smells around you. At several phases of the hike, you’ll do poses while gazing up at the granite pile above or observing other lookout points. The Zen Hike is designed to deepen the hiking experience, both physically and mentally. My unplanned unstructured version of the hike involved the same sightseeing and gazing in wonder at the surroundings, but my heartrate-revving movement came from just hoofing it back to the Four Seasons when I couldn’t be certain if the restless rustling in the brush was a bunny, bobcat or javelina.

For those inclined toward more traditional means of relaxation, a full-service spa completes the resort’s connection to nature with locally and organically inspired massage and body treatments.

Before this visit, I had not played either of Troon North’s 18-hole golf courses and was advised the Monument was a great way to break myself in as it’s a little bit more forgiving than the Pinnacle. Expectations were high and quickly met

when it became clear a couple of holes in that the golf course was in pristine enough condition to host a top-tier event if someone called and one needed to be played the next morning.

From tee to green, the conditions are absolutely perfect. As long as I kept the ball in play, every lie was on lush turf. As expected, there is a little room to miss shots and employ some creativity around the greens. Another aspect it was enjoyable was that, while each hole had a “best route” for successful angles into the green, there was often an option to work the ball either way off the tee and get comfortable despite the saguaros, ocotillos and ever-present brush just outside the roughs.

The Monument course affords golfers the opportunity for a fast start with gentle opening holes that immediately showcase the natural splendor of the desert. I was paired with a friendly Canadian with a smile, a low handicap, and a tournament in Tucson the next day. We got along famously and were ready to rip through the course in record time.

The golf course plays 6,992 yards from the championship tees where the par is 72 the course rating is 72.9 and the slope measures 145. There’s an enjoyable flow to the holes as you open with a par 4, a par 3 and then the signature 552-yard par 5 third which features the enormous, towering boulder in the center of the landing area of your drive. The variety picks right up with the lengthy 464-yard par 4 fifth and the drivable 302-yards sixth.

Lauded, yet still underrated as both a professional golfer and golf course architect, Tom Weiskopf paces the holes beautifully. There’s really no lull in the action and every hole presents a visual feast of desert landscapes and particularly engaging shot values.

The closing stretch, from the winding 580yard 14th on, is extremely enjoyable. The 15th is another short, strategic par 4 where placement off the tee is critical and, if you’re going for the green on your drive, accuracy is a must as the green is tucked in tight and to the left. The 16th is a quintessential long par 3 at 238 yards from the tips and 17, while 488 yards, plays shorter due to the downhill elevation. Same goes for the pleasing 365-yard 18th with water lurking left and multiple angles of attack into the open green.

There were a number of reasons I didn’t want this round to end. I was having a great time with a new friend, for one. And, I was getting into a semigroove on the closing stretch. I almost did enough to redeem some early miscues, but ultimately this was a bit of a round the got away. I look forward to getting back to playing the Monument again and seeing how similarly the Pinnacle plays.

At the end of each day at the Four Seasons, I enjoyed the resort’s incredible culinary offerings. Talavera is a revelatory experience based in contemporary Spanish cuisine that focuses on traditional Latin ingredients and specialties such as Paella, dry aged steak, fresh seafood. A flavorful selection of tapas all complemented by

a selection of new and old-world wines and crafted cocktails rounds out a joyous dining adventure. My instincts led me to go with the Paella because it’s not often you find a place that specializes in the dish. It was a delight of varying tastes and spices from land and sea and brought back memories of a long-ago college dinner party when our host insisted the dish’s origin came from Spanish supplicants who wanted to wow the queen and offered the inspired concoction “para ella” (for her, later somehow corrupted to paella). Other tells say it wasn’t for the queen at all, but for the object of some lovestruck Valencian fellow’s affections. We can probably just agree it originated in Valencia and whoever thought to put sea-

food, chorizo, fowl and rice together was sufficiently brilliant.

The next day at Proof, An American Canteen, the resort’s upscale take on a sports bar bistro with a diverse offering of spirits, I was content being the only one in the place not ordering the Maine Lobster Roll and opting for a bunless (though part of me was craving that Challah bun) Proof Burger, complete with an 8oz brisket patty, Calabrian chili aioli, bacon jam, aged cheddar and tobacco onions.

And, not long after that sunkissed lunch on the desert-draped veranda, my ride arrived and it was time to say goodbye to this blissful desert retreat. Next time, I’ll bring the wife and more sunscreen.

Palmilla Beach Resort’s

New Waters Edge Development Brings

Luxury Coastal Living to New Heights

STORY BY CARL MICKELSON

acations to the Gulf Coast and the cozy beach town of Port Aransas have always centered around living the good life. Beach time, warm gulf breezes, superb seafood, and the easy camaraderie with the local people who deeply appreciate their simple, coastal way of life, have always been hallmarks of a satisfying Port A getaway.

Locals and destination travelers would all agree, though, that the game changed when Palmilla Beach Resort opened a decade and a half ago (as Newport Dunes, in 2008) and brought luxury resort style amenities and lavish beach homes into the equation. Even after Hurricane Harvey decimated a large percentage of the 18-hole championship golf course, the spirit and quality of the community and the infrastructure throughout remained the basis for what what was and continues to thrive as an exceptional Texas coastal development.

The reimagined, fun-forward Palmilla Beach Golf Club now features a unique nine-hole, par-32 routing that retains the best hole from the original and offers playability for players of all ages and skill levels. The additional threehole pitch and putt routing further reinforces the club’s commitment to growing the game and keeping it accessible.

The community, at large, though, has seen the most dramatic transformation in the past decade. Luxury home after home has gone up in what is been a bona fide real estate boom for the area and has led to development of the next phase of homesites and lifestyle attractions for this growing destination community.

What’s better than The Good Life? Even more Good Life. And that’s what exactly what the developers had in mind with the next phase is a Palmilla Beach, a one-of-akind 165-acre enclave called Water’s Edge. This will be the newest sister phase to Palmilla’s original collection of posh beach homes known as the Fairways Village.

Water’s Edge will offer the same classic architecture and design concepts in a section of the property dotted with a system of scenic waterways and new amenities for residents and guests. A Boathouse, nature trails, parks lush with greenery, a

private boardwalk across the dunes to the beach with gathering spots for dining and refreshing drinks, two swim centers and pickle ball courts are just some of the new attractions that will be planned to enrich life at Water’s Edge. Real estate sales for this appealing new offering have been brisk and the notion of having Palmilla fully built out has the developers and residents excited about how much better the Palmilla Beach experience can really get.

Palmilla homeowners recently celebrated the opening of the Oasis Pool swim center (situated near the golf course and not far from the golf clubhouse and Black Marlin restaurant), which features a two-way bar - one swim up and one walk up - and the community’s newest dining options. The pool is a bit symbolic of the momentum in the community, the success of the real estate sales initiative and the developer’s willingness to build out the rest of the overall property to the standards that

homeowners and destination travelers have come to appreciate from the preeminent luxury lifestyle brand in Port Aransas.

Personally, my family cherishes the times we get to visit this beloved, blissfully time-warped community, a triumph in subtle, tasteful new urbanism. We book the same home each year, the one with easy access to the par-three pitch and putt holes, as well as a short stroll over the Dunes Crossover bridge and onto the beach. It’s a pleasure to see the community blossoming into one of the preeminent vacation spots in the state. There’s really nothing like it.

For more information on offerings in Water’s Edge at Palmilla Beach Resort & Golf Club, visit PalmillaBeach.com

FROM THE RANGE TO THE COURSE

STORY BY BUCK MAYERS

All too often, golfers get frustrated when they have a great practice session or a good warm up, then fail to execute when under the gun on the course. Playing golf is directly tied to proper thinking, belief, and trust – rather than from extra practice. Yes, practice is important and swing flaws must be corrected in the practice area but once corrected, it is the thinking process that will determine the effectiveness of the golf swing on the course.

Remember, when you practice, there is no water, no out of bounds, no fear of bunkers, the pressure to a score. Obviously, all of those factors do make a very big difference! Your mind is very clear on the practice range, and your golf swing is free and easy – with no problematic thoughts to interfere with your swing motion. Here are some simple steps to improve your golf course IQ:

1. Have a routine that is target oriented – not mechanical

2. Have a key – like brush the grass or clip the tee

3. Clearly see each shot successfully before you hit it

4. Positive imagery of where you want the ball to go (not water, OB, bunker, etc.)

5. Believe/Trust/Commit to one shot – one hole - one round at a time!

Remember to breathe. Feel relaxed and in balance before you initiate your swing. SEE IT, FEEL IT, TRUST IT, HIT IT!

Q&A: Justin Leonard

ON YOUR GAME

STORY BY MIKE BAILEY

If you want to catch Justin Leonard on the Golf Channel or NBC Sports, you’re way more likely these days to see him on the course with a club in his hand, not a microphone.

The 1997 Open champion and Ryder Cup hero has worked the last seven years for the Golf Channel and NBC Sports as a commentator on golf telecasts. But there have been changes for him, both on the broadcasting front, and on the competitive side. Leonard turned 50 last June, so he decided to take a dip into playing last July at the Senior Players Championship at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. He tied for 61st, and it started to get his competitive juices flowing again. Now, his TV duties are pretty much behind him.

Another change is that he and his family have moved from Aspen, Colo., where they had lived since 2016, to Jupiter, Fla., where he can work on his game year-round, as he prepares to play his first full season on the PGA Tour Champions.

So far, so good. Leonard got 2023 off to a solid start as he finished tied for 10th at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in Hawaii. Then after spending a few days at the PGA Merchandise Show on behalf of a company he’s involved with -- GolfForever -he competed in the Chubb Classic at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., and finished 10th again.

As for his involvement with GolfForev -

er, that came about during his years in Aspen, when he met up with founder Jeremy James. As a doctor of chiropractic (DC) as well as a certified strength and condition specialist (CGSCS), James has been helping professional and Olympic athletes as well as recreational athletes train to avoid injuries, overcome pain, and play their best for years. GolfForever, which started in late 2020, also counts PGA Tour players Scottie Scheffler and Ryan Palmer among its ambassadors. More recently, GolfForever has added its GolfForever Swing Trainer, a 44.5-inch training bar with a resistance cord to take the workouts to a new level. Leonard, of course, has been using GolfForever in his training regime to get back into playing shape. We recently sat down with Leonard, who grew up in Dallas, played at the University of Texas, and of course, made the dramatic clinching putt for the United States Ryder Cup team in 1999 at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.

OTL: When you were playing on the PGA Tour, did you figure at age 50 you’d play PGA Tour Champions?

JL: No, that decision was more recent. When I stepped away from playing and started doing TV with Golf Channel and NBC Sports, I really thought that would be my path for the

next 30 years. And it really wasn’t until maybe just before I turned 49 that one of my sons started playing more and then I realized that if I want to consider playing again, I was going to have to get back into it. So yeah, it’s been pretty recent. And stepping away from TV for now, I decided if I was going to play, I needed to do it now and not wait two or three years.

OTL: Of course, the broadcasting scene has changed, too. Did that have anything to do with your decision to start playing again?

JL: I loved being part of a team with NBC and Golf Channel, but yeah, that landscape is changing quickly. I wouldn’t be completely honest if I said that didn’t have something to do with it, but I also feel like getting back into playing and trying to apply the things I’ve observed over the last five or six years into my own game has been a lot of fun.

OTL: You played four events in between telecasts last year, but at the end of the year, you really started to work in preparation for your first event of 2023, the Mitsubishi Elec-

tric. What was that experience like for you preparing for high-level competition?

JL: I really enjoyed that week a lot because the prior three months I was really able to dive into my own game without having to step away and do TV. In fact, if anything I think I kind of overworked. I enjoyed (the week of the PGA Show) of not touching a club. I felt like I was behind having not competed in six years. I probably had five or six days over those three months when I didn’t touch a club, and I was pretty tired that week. I’m kind of still learning about what I need to do to be ready and prepared and rested, but it’s been fun getting back into it, and I’m starting to see some better results. So that’s exciting.

OTL: How did you get involved with GolfForever?

JL: So Jeremy (James) started out as just wanting to help people with their back issues. He had a clinic in Aspen for a number of years (Leonard used to live in Aspen before moving to Florida in June 2022). He realized the vast majority of his clients played golf. And so we had lunch a couple of times, and he wanted to pick my brain, how to get more into the golf space and market it more towards golfers. I had some time to devote to it, and so I became a partner in this. He probably wouldn’t say it happened quickly, but it happened quickly. And now it’s getting so much traction with PGA Tour and trainers, understanding it’s not just tour players, but everybody needs this. I’ve had access to the best trainers in the golf space. But now everybody has access through GolfForever.

OTL: Was GolfForever a big part of your preparation coming back to playing?

JL: Absolutely, amongst some other things. But I like to do a lot of different things, like Peloton, and Orange Theory. I love to do cardio, after living in Colorado for so long. But this is my real golf-specific workout that I do, and it absolutely helps.

OTL: Do you play pickleball or anything else to cross train?

JL: Yeah, a little bit. Mostly when we’re on vacation.

OTL: Let’s talk a little bit about the game of golf today vs. when you turned professional.

JL: It’s much more of a power game now. The way golf courses are built and set up, it just lends itself more to that. If you look at the top of the world rankings, the vast majority of those players hit the ball a long way. It’s been going that way for the last 10-15 years. When I first started playing on the tour, it was great if you hit it a long way, but you had to hit it in the fairway. Now I think because of the mainte-

ON YOUR GAME

nance practices on golf courses, it’s opened up more to where all the data that’s available just shows you’re better off just pushing the ball down as far as you can. Some of that is technology, but some of that is just the type of athlete that now plays golf.

OTL: You had an incredible knack for getting up and down. You were very creative. You definitely approached the game differently than a lot of players today. So If you were starting out today would you approach it differently than you did way back when?

JL: I would work on hitting the ball much farther than I do. At 50, I do some speed training, but not what a lot of the guys do now. A, because I’m not playing 7,600 yards. But B, because my golf DNA is kind of set, and I’m not going to change that too much.

OTL: Take us back to that scene at The Country Club in 1999. The 45-foot putt on 17 in your singles match with Jose Maria Olazabal that essentially cinched the U.S. comeback in the 1999 Ryder Cup. How do you recall that moment?

JL: My memories are very vivid. I got to relive it once every couple of years by doing TV around Ryder Cups. Especially with NBC broadcasting the Ryder Cups. I’ve done three Ryder Cups, and then being at Brookline this summer for the U.S. Open. So I get to relive that quite often.

OTL: What a lot of people forget is that after you made that putt, Olazabal still had a putt (which he missed) to tie the hole, but there was this mass hysteria. Did you try to quiet down the fans?

JL: I certainly did, but that (atmosphere) was throughout the week that especially boiled over on Sunday.

OTL: Have you and Olazabal talked about that moment?

JL: We had a good talk, and actually we got paired together a few weeks later in Valderrama (site of the 1997 Ryder Cup in Spain, where Leonard also competed) in a WGC event. And he was great, and gracious. It’s probably a good thing I don’t understand Spanish because he told quite a few people to lay off a bit (at Valderrama).

OTL: The 1999 Ryder Cup, of course, is remembered for the U.S. team’s incredible comeback on Sunday. U.S. Captain Ben Crenshaw told the press the night before “I’m a big believer in fate. I have a good feeling about this. That’s all I’m going to tell you.”

Tell us about what transpired on Saturday evening.

JL: The night before was pretty quiet until we got the pairings, and I thought it actually looked feasible with the way we front-loaded our lineup vs. the Europeans, who had three rookies playing very early. That was actually going to be their first Ryder Cup match (they didn’t play the previous two days). President Bush came in and spoke. It was a good night because we still had a glimmer of hope.

OTL: What else stands out as most memorable in your playing career? The Open Championship at Royal Troon in 1997 must have been a proud moment.

JL: Yeah, The Open, winning there early in my career and getting to go back so many times was great. The Players Championship (1988), too. I really cherish the Texas Open and winning that three times. And the (92) U.S Amateur (at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio). I also got to play in the ‘93 Masters as an amateur, which was very special. And I played with Tom Kite and Nick Faldo the first two days of the 1993 U.S. Open as an amateur (Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey). I really enjoyed my time at (The University of) Texas, too. I got to do a lot of fun things.

OTL: What’s next for you besides playing the PGA Tour Champions?

JL: I don’t know. I’m just getting my game ready, watching my kids (Reese Ella,19; Avery Kate 17; Luke Garrett, 16, Skylar Charles, 12) grow and mature, and spending time with my wife (Amanda). We did our first college-parents weekend last fall, and our other daughter is headed to college next fall. Our oldest is at UVA (University of Virginia), and our next is going to SMU in the fall. The family dynamic now that they are leaving the house is constantly shifting.

Central Florida is Grande

STORY BY ALICIA FORRESTER

Florida has been on everyone’s mind in the wake of Hurricane Ian and Nicole – two of Florida’s most devasting storm seasons in history. The coastal Floridian communities are rebuilding, and Central Florida is welcoming guests with open arms to boost the state’s overall economy, with Orlando as its crown jewel.

I visited Central Florida one week prior to Hurricane Ian, literally the “Calm Before the Storm.” Orlando is of course known for its many amusement parks - Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Legoland Florida Resort.

owever, Orlando and the greater Central Florida area offer much more as a destination. Its ecotourism, multicultural history, luxurious resorts and incredible golf are just a few traits that make this area so intriguing.

History

A timely must-visit during Black History Month this February is Orlando’s Historic Eatonville neighborhood, which played a key role in the civil rights movement and was one of the first African American municipalities in the U.S., established in 1887. Eatonville is also the birthplace of famed author Zora Neale Hurston; every winter the town hosts a free festival in the writer’s honor celebrating arts and humanities of the region.

For more history and cultural activities while visiting “The City Beautiful,” head to the Orlando Museum of Art and the Orange County Regional History Center and Heritage Park, which traces back 12,000 years of Central Florida history in a five-story county courthouse built in 1927.

Ecotourism

From orange grove tours to birdwatching and paddling through Central Florida’s many lakes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. There are 360 different species of birds alone at Lake Apopka including bald eagles and great blue herons. Winter and early Spring are the best seasons to view the flocks of birds that migrate south for the mild climate and undeveloped shores, according to Orlando’s official tourism organization.

Perhaps the most beguiling natural attraction to Central Florida are the area’s crystal-clear springs, with some less than one hour from Orlando. Two options are Wekiva Springs for canoeing and hiking and Blue Spring State Park for year-round manatee viewing. Our lodging recommendation, Grande Lakes Orlando, also offers guided kayak tours of Shingle Creek, the gateway into the Florida Everglades to get the full Floridian wetlands experience. The resort also offers the finest in bass fishing excursions.

The Grande Experience

JW Marriott Grande Lakes is just 25 minutes away from Disney and the urban core of Orlando, but the sprawling 500-acre retreat on 500 pristine acres evokes the feeling of an escape that’s worlds away into the Central Floridian countryside. The resort is adjoined to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, and many of the amenities can be shared including the Ritz-Carlton Spa and the new multi-million Grande Lakes Waterpark, complete with worldclass pools, swim-up day beds and VIP cabanas for ultimate privacy. The two luxury Marriott resorts offer a total of 1,582 total well-appointed guest rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the Orlando skyline in the distance complemented by warm metal finishes and sleek modern décor.

If guests are traveling with a family in tow, the family suites are idyllic for spacious accommodations, complete with an advance VIP planning experience to make the most of your Orlando itinerary. Remote business travelers will appreciate the upgrade to the Presidential Suite with rich furnish-

ings, premier resort views, a stunning lounge area and separate office with an ergonomic desk.

Although it’s difficult to leave the tranquil suites, Orlando’s top golf course is beckoning guests to step outside and hit the greens. A winter or early spring Central Florida golf trip is unmatched in the sunshine state.

“The sprawling Grande Lakes Orlando resort is home to a host of enriching activities within its private, natural setting, including The RitzCarlton Club,” said John McGavin, area general manager for Grande Lakes Orlando. “Orlando’s premier golf course at Grande Lakes Orlando offers an escape from the city in the headwaters of the Florida Everglades.

“Guests of all ages can enjoy the pristine golf course winding through the property’s lush grounds and 11 lakes. PGA golf professionals and instructors, including Former PGA Tour Player and Top Golf Instructor Larry Rinker, are standing by for group sessions, private lessons, or multi-day golf schools before hitting the links, and Caddie Concierge services are available to accompany any group for a knowledgeable course consultant,” Serna continued.

The iconic on-property club, which plays host to the PNC Championship each year, includes an 18-hole championship golf course designed by twotime British Open champion Greg Norman, an all-grass driving range, putting green, and practice facility, upscale, full-service clubhouse with pro shop and Fairways Pub restaurant and bar, and boasts certification as Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and endorsement by United States Golf Association, according to the Grande Lakes Resorts team.

The Ritz-Carlton spa offers nothing short of a grand experience. The multi-level sanctuary sets the candlelit

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRANDE LAKES ORLANDO RESORTS

mood from the moments guests walk in and are greeted by accommodating staff who exceed luxury-caliber expectations. After slipping into a comfortable robe and slippers, spa guests are encouraged to take a dip in the heated pool, unwind in the whirlpool tub and sauna and prepare to be pampered with an array of treatments.

With 40 treatment rooms and a massive waiting area with cozy blankets and furniture at every turn, spa goers may choose to spend the entire day here between or posttreatment - highlighted by a Grande Indulgence Massage that melts away tension with a full body massage, a warm stone enhancement for the back and nourishing keratin gloves for the hands and feet. Other signature therapies incorporate CBD and other herbs from the resort garden, honey from an on-site apiary and other ingredients native to Central Florida. The spa also features Vitale restaurant to order mimosas or a healthy meal during the visit.

The Grande Lakes Resort takes its farmto-table concept seriously with the Whisper Creek Farm, an 18,000-square-foot agricultural area filled with vegetables, fruits, herbs and beehives that give fresh cuisine and garnish new meaning at its restaurants including Whisper Creek Farm – the Kitchen, featuring sandwiches, flatbreads, small plates and more. Seasonal tours and events are available on the farm.

On the JW Marriott side, kick the day off with Citron, a breakfast restaurant and American brasserie serving classic morning fare and fresh pastries. Or head down the corridor to The Ritz-Carlton to dine at Highball & Harvest, offering Southern cuisine and authentic cocktails by seasoned mixologists. Take a midday break from golf or lounging poolside at tropically inspired Bleu or Knife Burger by award-winning Chef John Tesar.

Finally, choose from two signature restau-

rants for the main event: Primo, hailed as a Recommended Restaurant in the Florida MICHELIN Guide serving Italian fare, fresh produce and a sommelier-curated wine list and Knife and Spoon, a stunning new conceptual steak and seafood restaurant led by Chef Tesar, earning a MICHELIN Star for his culinary arts in 2022. The extensive menu at Knife and Spoon invites guests to dive into the plentiful raw bar from the sea, nosh on sides such as Steak Tartare, nourish with the Goat Cheese Mezzaluna, and surf and turf entrées including Wagyu Flat Iron, From the Reel fresh-caught fish and King Crab Scampi.

To cap off the evening, guests can meander through the immaculate grounds, enjoy a sunset over the rolling landscape and recap a trip well-spent. Whether golf, wellness, culture or outdoor exploration is your traveling “love language,” Orlando and the Central Florida area are sure to invoke that passion.

STORY BY MARC HALL

How so? It’s the brand’s ultra-premium BERES line that for the first time is offered in a more-affordable version without any compromises. And because it’s a game-improvement model that’s made with best-in-class materials, more golfers of varying skill levels can play it –including better players needing stiffer shaft flexes – and expect improved results off the tee. Think more distance, accuracy and consistency.

Available for men and women playing to 6-to30-handicaps, the BERES NX generates speed while yielding loads of forgiveness. Its draw bias will let you find the fairway more often, too. Available in base lofts of 9 and 10.5 degrees for men, plus a 10.5-degree lefthanded model, and 11.5 degrees for ladies, it can be adjusted -1 to +2 degrees.

The club generates high initial ball speed through a new clubface and crown structure that includes a no-weld upper L-CUP face, solid carbon crown, hyper wide slot and keel weighting. Its radial clubface surface expands the toe and heel repulsion areas to the edges, as well – meaning that no matter where you make contact on the face, you can expect the most-possible distance and accuracy. Plus the high MOI and low/deep CG creates high-and-straight ball flight.

Maximizing performance was the goal that Honma master craftsmen sought when designing this driver that happens to be the first-ever BERES model with adjustable loft and lie angles. To boot, it’s armed with Honma’s proprietary and lightweight VIZARD shaft. At just 45 grams, it’s more flexible in the middle, and then more optimized towards the butt and tip – helping you produce proper spin and fast initial velocity. All you have to do is take a comfortable, easy swing while the shaft does all of the work.

This driver looks modern and stylish and offers responsive feel and trusted performance. (MAll BERES Nx products will be available for retailers and consumers beginning April 1, 2023. Retail pricing for BERES Nx men’s and ladies’ drivers are $750.00

Music and Wine Pairings: The Perfect Harmony for Your Palate

STORY BY HUNTER HAM

ine and music are two of life’s greatest pleasures, and when combined, they can create a truly unforgettable experience. Just as the right wine can enhance the flavors of a dish, the right music can enhance the flavors of a wine. Today we are going to cut loose, open a bottle of wine and explore the art of music and wine pairings, and how to find the perfect harmony

for your palate. Please enjoy some playlists I have made on Spotify for you to enjoy along with the perfect wine!

First things first: what makes a good music and wine pairing? Just like with food and wine pairings, the goal is to find complementary flavors and aromas that enhance each other. A full-bodied red wine may pair well with a strong and bold musical piece, while a light white wine may pair better with a softer and more delicate piece of music. It’s all about finding the perfect balance.

Cab and Chopin?

Let’s start with a classic pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon and classical music. The bold tannins and rich flavors of the wine pair perfectly with the sophistication and elegance of classical music. From the soaring melodies of Mozart to the dramatic symphonies of Beethoven, a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and a classical music piece can transport you to a world of refined tastes and cultured experiences.

Samba & Syrah!

If you’re looking for something a little more exotic, try pairing a spicy Syrah with some Latin music. The bold flavors and spicy notes of the wine are a perfect match for the passionate rhythms and fiery beats of Latin music. From the sultry sounds of salsa to the energetic beats of reggaeton, a glass of Syrah and some Latin music can take you on a sensory journey to a vibrant and colorful world.

Bebop to Blanc

For those who prefer a more upbeat and lively experience, try pairing a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with some upbeat jazz music. The refreshing acidity and citrus notes of the wine complement the lively rhythms and improvisations of jazz music, creating a playful and dynamic pairing. Whether you’re dancing the night away or enjoying a summer day with friends, this pairing is sure to put a smile on your face.

Bel Canto with Bordeaux

Finally, for a pairing that’s both bold and elegant, try pairing a rich and complex Bordeaux with some classical opera music. The bold tannins and complex flavors of the wine are a perfect match for the dramatic and powerful voices of opera singers: from the grandeur of Puccini to the passion of Verdi, a glass of Bordeaux and some opera music can transport you to a world of passion, drama, and sophistication.

Music and wine pairings are a match made in heaven, and with so many options to choose from, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re looking for a bold and energetic experience or a soothing and relaxing one, there’s a pairing out there that’s sure to satisfy. So go ahead, indulge your senses, and let the perfect harmony of music and wine take you on a journey to new heights of taste and pleasure.

Casdagli Cigars - History and luxury blended to perfection

STORY BY TOMAS ZILINSKIS

Exploring flavors is my passion and there is no better feeling than finding a brand that just does it for you in every blend and every vitola. It is surprising, exciting and flavors continuously bring back various memories from my life that I love to re-live in that moment.

Finding a cigar that speaks luxury and fine craftsmanship is not easy. Finding an entire brand that is exquisite and with every cigar light-up any aficionado would immediately recognize the uniqueness and impeccable flavor balance of every draw. I chose to share more about this particular brand for this specific reason and. After smoking hundreds of Casdagli cigars there is no doubt in my mind that it has it all for the luxury smoker, thus I want to make sure more readership can get access to those cigars and explore flavors I absolutely love.

Casdagli is a family-owned brand and has a deep roots in tobacco trade. Decades of experience and knowledge that Jeremy Casdagli, founder of the Casdagli Cigars company, has meticulously put into blends that have individuality, back story, and immaculate balance of flavors delivered to anyone wishing to enjoy simple luxury in life.

I have been always fascinated by the history and backstories of cigar blends and after interviewing Jeremy Casdagli who is, in my opinion, a great and humble individual who takes a lot of pride with all cigar lines that his company produces, it was apparent that backstories have had a massive impact on all the blends. In particular I would like to touch

up on a recent release of CASDAGLI CYPHER 3311 cigar line featuring four different vitolas named to commemorate Jaremy’s grandfather and his achievements as a captive of Nazis in WWII. While in captivity Major A.T. Casdagli often produced wartime embroideries to keep his mind at peace. What the enemy did not suspect is that he would stitch hidden cypher messages in his artwork that would be passed to MI9 through clandestine communication network to London. One of the most famous phrases stitched was ‘God save the King,“ and a disparaging message to the head of the regime. The artwork is regularly featured in various museums in UK and all Cypher 3311 cigar sales have a portion of income donated to Red Cross.

As for uniqueness of the cigars, only 16,000 (4,000 of each size) will be produced each year. Tobaccos used for these cigars are rare and very expensive, coming from Costa Rica, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. Each cigar is packaged in individual coffin box and sold in a box of box of 8 with MSRP of 400$ per box for Colossus, Enigma and Needle sizes and MSRP of 480$ for Lorenz (diadema) size. Each blend and size bring a little different experience and tasting notes and a truly unique experience backed up by an amazing history and valor.

Since the brand is less known in the USA, you can find Cypher 3311 and other Casdagli blends on www.smallbatchcigar.com. Enjoy and until next time my fellow cigar friends, cheers.